Dear Babe: We have a Bond Bread Jackie Robinson card that was found in my father's things a few years ago. It appears to have always been covered and protected. It depicts Robinson leaping from a base to maybe catch a ball, though there seems to be a ball in his mitt already. It has art on the back, and what may be a simulated signature. The back says: "Homogenized Bond makes a hit with me every time." Then his "signature." There is an open loaf of bread. In the bottom third, there is a baby and a "talk" bubble that reads: "Folks, why not eat the bread that Jackie eats? Homogenized Bond!" -- Alice Phillips, Detroit
You've definitely got a winner on your hands, especially if it's in top condition. There were 13 different cards packaged in loaves of Homogenized Bond Bread in 1947 -- Robinson's rookie year.
One card has a facsimile autograph and Robinson's bio on the back. It is believed this card was issued in greater numbers than the others. Possibly it was a promo card as well as finding its way into the loaves of bread. When it comes to value, the Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards from the editors of Sports Collectors Digest lists each card at $6,750 in "near-mint" condition, down to $2,000 for a card in "very good" condition. Beckett's Almanac of Baseball Cards lists the cards at $400-$800, with the overprinted card at $250-$500.
Now there's a discrepancy in values that can't be ignored.
"The one with the facsimile is much more available," said Clay Hill, West Coast director of acquisitions for www.scpauctions.com. "Not too often do you see these cards in high grade."
"The cards are rare in nice condition," said Mike Heffner, president of the www.Lelands.com auction house in New York. "We recently had a grouping (12 cards with lots of duplication). It sold for over $4,000. So, in average condition (ungraded), the cards are worth around $500 each."
Graded cards command higher prices. One card that rated a PSA 7 sold for $1,528 in a www.robertedwardauctions.com/sale.
PSA has handled 44 -- far and away the most among top graders. The highest grade went to just one card that earned a 7.5 (near-mint) mark. SGC has graded 19 of the cards, with the best earning a 92 (near mint/mint) on its scale of 100. I believe Beckett has stopped grading Bond Bread cards, so it only shows two being reviewed, with the best getting a 5.5 (excellent-plus).
Dear Babe: While going through some things, my mother found this boxed set of items that included an official size and weight baseball with a replica of the authentic autograph of Willie Mays (still in its original plastic) along with a 22-karat gold signature card No. 1785. -- Dwight McGowen, Richmond, Calif.
The card isn't listed in any of my guides. We usually refer to this type of item as a "ready to wear" collectible. A card sold for $5.50 plus $2 S&H on eBay. A couple of balls were offered separately at $20 each, but didn't sell. One did sell for $7.99 plus $5 S&H. Interestingly, a ball offered for 99 cents with $6 S&H didn't get any bids. Go figure.
Based on those numbers, I think we're safe in saying $10-$20 for the card-and-ball combo -- to a Mays collector.
(Send card questions to Babe Waxpak, PO Box 492397, Redding, CA 96049-2397 or email babewaxpak@charter.net. If possible, include card number, year and brand or a photocopy. Please do not send cards. For Babe Waxpak's blog, see www.scrippsnews.com/waxpak. Babe Waxpak is a feature of The Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif.)
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